Spring suspension for vehicles



pt. 6.1927. D BROWN 1,541,412

SPRING SUSPENSION FOR VEHICLES Filed Sept. 29, 1926 s Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. ,1.

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' 1,641,472 Sept. 6,1927. I D- BROWN SPRING SUSPENSION FOR VEHICLES Filed Sept. 29, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet FIG. 8.

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woman Sept. 6,

D. BROWN SPRING SUSPENSION FOR VEHICLES Filed Sept. 29, 1926 Sheetseat 3 Jrvvemlar -.DONALD BROWN,

allow Patented Sept. 6, 1927.

' UNITED STATES DONALD BROWN, OF NEWGASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND.

'srnmc SUSPENSION non VEHICLES.

Application filed September 29, 19;?6, Serial No.

This invention relates to spring suspensions for motor and other road vehicles, and

has particular reference to spring suspensions of the kind having a spiral load-carrying spring and a rebound spring horizontally supported in opposition within each end of a tubular member of the vehicle frame disposed on each longitudinal side thereof, connections being provided between the'springs and a series of rockers interposed between the wheel axles and the frame in, such a manner that the vertical movements of the wheel axles due to road lid shocks are transmitted to the springs longitudinally of the frame.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved and simplified construction' of spring suspension of the kind above referred to.

In a spring suspension in accordance wlth my invention I employ front and rear pairs of rockers, each rocker comprising a cranked lever journalledin a hanger rigidly suspended from the adjacent end of a longitudinal tubular member of the vehicle frame, the free ends of the normally horizontal arms of the front and rear pairs of rockers being attached to the front and rear cordance therewith,

axle respectively of the vehicle, and the free ends of the normally upwardly extending arms of said rockers co-acting with heads disposed in the frame members and simultaneously acted upon by the load springs and rebound springs therein, whereby t e I vertical movements of the axles due to road Figure 4 is a plan of Fig. 3. Figures 5 and 6 are similar views to Figs. 3 and a illustrating a modified construction, and Fig-. ures 7 and 8 are a sectional elevation and plan res ectively of the rear end of alongitudinal rame member illustrating a further modification. Figure 9 is a plan and Fig- 138,468, and in Great Britain August 13, '1925.

ure 10 an end elevation of an alternative method of mounting the front wheels ofthey vehlcle; and Figures 11 and 12 are similar views showing the same method applied to the rear wheels thereof.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 4 of the said drawings, in the construction therein illustrated, I employ four rockers a, two at the front and two atthe rear, each rocker comprlslng a cranked lever journalled at b between a pair of channels 0 rigidly suspended by bars d depending from collars e fixed around the adjacent end of the tubular longitudinal member f of the frame. The normally horizontal arm a} of each front rocker teIII11I1H,tBSlI1 a pin a which extends through and is free to rotate in a cylindrical block 9 which, in turn, is free to rotate in a keep 9 secured on the front axle g, and the normally horizontal arm 01 of each rear rocker terminates in a pin a which extends through and is free to rotate in a cylindrical block it which, in turn, is free to rotate in a keep 71, secured on the rear axle h (Figs. 1 and 2), said connectionsbeing equivalent to universal joints, the keeps g and h being slotted to allow movement of the axles g and h about'the pivots b and about the I pins a The normally upright arm a of each rocker, both front and rear, is pivotally connected by a link j to a push rod is co-axial with the frame member f and ex-' tending thereinto. The rod k is fitted at its inner end with a head m (Fig. 3) interposed between the adjacent ends of the load spring n and the rebound spring p disposed within the frame member f, the other ends of said springs bearing on abutments g, and 9' respectlvely fixed in the member f.

It will be seen that, on the axle g or k rising under road shock, the rockers a oscillate about their pivots b and transmit the vertical movement of the axle through the links j and rods k to the head mas an inward horizontal push which is absorbed by the load spring n, any rebound being absorbed by the spring p.

The tubular side members f are preferably straight throughout their length, but need not be. parallel, and are fitted with transverse tie members f (Fig. 2), where necessary. v

The upri ht arms a of the rockers may be connected by links 7' to the outer ends of the push rods Ic-as illustrated, the push rods cient strength to act as the main side members of the frame and to take all torsional strains therein. 2

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a modified con- I struction particularly designed for the front end of the vehicle, but applicable to the rear end if desired. In this arrangem'ent each rocker a is journalled at b in a hollow casting rigidly depending from the frame member f, and the upper end of the upright arm a of the rocker 'co-acts directly with the head m which is recessed to receive it..

If desired, the arm a may be fitted with a roller (1* as shown. The head m is interposed between the load spring n and the rebound 'sprin p, and, in this example, slides freely over t e rod is which extends between a fixed abutment 1' and an adjustable abut- .ment'g within the member f. The central rod 72 is threaded at its inner end and the aperture in the abutment 5 through which it closing the end, of the frame member f, an

passes is similarly threa (1 so that, by revolving said rod, the abutment Q can be ad-.

justed in the member 7 to adjust the tension of the load and rebound springs. sis a ca 27- is a forked guide depending from a collar 'u about the end of the member f, said guide preventing lateral movement of the horizon-' tal arm a of the rocker.

Instead of terminating in a pin a the arm a of each rocker a terminates in a ball a which is received in a socket in a box 9 on the axle 9', said box being closed by a cover 9, which arrangement constitutes a universal joint.

To ensure that the front axle g rises and falls in a 'vertical plane and,to take the torque of the front wheel brakes, twoart radlus rods '0 are fitted adjacent to each front rocker a, the parts of said rods being adjustably connected by turn-buckles v.

The ends of each radius rodterminate in balls of which are received in sockets g and 0 provided on the axle box 9 and the casting a respectively. The rockers a andthe radius rods '0 motion.

To ensure smooth and'frictionless action, the tubular frame members f, between the abutments' and 1-, and the castin s 0- are filled with lubricant, the lower en of each casting being closed by a' flexible gaiter w together form a parallel link secured by bands w around the end of the casting and around the arm a of the rocker.

It will be seen that the springing of the I vehicle does not depend upon' frictional damping, friction between the springs 02. and,

p, the heads m andthe arms a of the rockers beings practically eliminated.

To avoid excessive projection of the tubular frame members 7 at the'rear of the vehicle, the head on and load and rebound springs n and p at the rear end. of each member may be arranged as shown in Figs.

7 and 8, where it will be-seen that the rebound spring p is disposed within the frame member f-between the head m and a fixed abutment 1' through which the central rod threaded and the aperture in the abutment g through which it passes is similarly threaded so that, by revolving said rod, the abutment Q can be adjusted in the member 7 to adjust the tension of the load and rebound springs.

' It will be seen that, in a spring suspension according to my invention, the springs are enclosed inthetubular side members f which'form integral parts of the spring suspended frame of the vehicle, the ush rods'k (Figs. 1 to 4;) being oo-axial wit the frame members 7, andthe thrust of the arms a of the rockers being in direct alignment with the axes of the frame members '7.

In some cases each wheel, as distinct from each axle, of the vehicle may be separately sprung. F or example as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the arms a of the front pair of'rockers may be bent laterally outwards to an extent suflicient to allow the front wheels as to swing on their usual stubaxles clear of the frame members f for steering purposes. In place of the usual axle, pairs of horizontal parallel. radius rods y attached by ball joints'y to and extending laterally from a central frame member a are pivotally attached at their outer ends to the caps g of the universal joints of the rockers so that true vertical movement 'of' the wheelsis ensured.

At the rear, as illustrated in'Figs. 11 andferential casing 2 being attached by joints y at one end to said casing and pivotally attached at the other to the caps g of the universal joints at the .ends of t e rear pair of rocker arms a. The rear. rocker arms a may bebent outwards. as shown, and they are attached by universal joints ashereinbefore described to the separate driving shafts h Universal joints k are inserted at the differential ends of the driving shafts h. In this arrangement, the differential casing a is rigidly attached by a bracket 2 to the cross member f of the vehicle frame. What I claim as my invention, and desire 5 to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A spring suspension for a vehicle comprising a pair of longitudinal tubular frame members extending substantially the length of the vehicle, a spiral load-carrying spring nd a rebound spring disposed in opposition within each end of each of said frame members, abutments for said springs within each end of each frame member, a head disposed within the end of each frame member said head being simultaneously acted upon by said springs, hangers rigidly suspended from the ends of said frame members, and front and rear pairs of rockers journalled in said hangers each rocker comprising a cranked lever, the free ends of the normally horizontal arms of the front and rear pairs of rockers being attached to the front and rear axle respectively of the vehicle and the free ends of the normally upright arms of said rockers co-acting with the heads within the frame members to transmit to said sets 0 springs therein the vertical movements of the axles due to road shocks.

2. A spring suspension for a vehicle comprising a pair of longitudinal tubular frame members extending substantially the length of the vehicle, a spiral load-carrying spring and a rebound spring disposed in opposition Within each end of each of said frame members, abutments for said springswithin each end of each frame member,- a head disposed within the end of each'frame member said head being simultaneously acted upon by said springs, hangers rigidly suspended from 40 the ends of, said frame members, front and rear pairs of rockers journalled in said hangers each rocker comprising a cranked lever, and universal joints at the free ends of the normally horizontal arms of the front and rear pairs of rockers attaching said ends to the front and rear axle respectively of the vehicle, the free ends of the normally upright arms of said rockers coacting with t 0 heads within the frame members to transmit to said sets of springs therein the vertical movements of the axles duetoroad shocks. 7

3. A spring suspension for a vehicle comprising a pair of longitudinal tubular frame members extending substantially the length of the vehicle, a spiral load-carrying spring and a vrebound spring disposed in opposition within each end of each of said frame members, abutments for said springs within each end of each frame member, a rod within the end of each frame member coaxial therewith one of said abutments being adjustable on said rod, a head disposed within the end of each frame member said head 1 being disposed between the load-carrying spring and the rebound spring and sliding freely over said rod, hangers rigidly suspended from the ends of said frame members, front and rear pairs of rockers, journalled in said hangers each rocker comprising a cranked lever, and universal joints at the free ends of the normally horizontal arms of the front and rear pairs of rockers attaching said ends to the front and rear axle respectively of the vehicle, the free ends of the normally upright arms of said rockers coacting directly with the heads Within the frame members to transmit to said sets of springs therein the vertical movements of the axles due to road shocks.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my si ature.

DONALD BR WN. 

